Overjoyed Amidst Adversity
Again I would like to encourage pastors and members alike to consider
your church in the light of the seven churches portrayed in the book of
Revelation. Compare yourself to these churches and find out which one
best fits the description of your own congregation. Only then can you
realize where you really stand spiritually.
No one likes
suffering. Nobody is eager to go through adversity. Still, I wonder why
we are dreading it, as more often than not it drives us to a more
intimate relationship with our Savior.
The church in Smyrna would
now-a-days be considered a church to avoid at all cost. After all, who
in their right mind would embrace suffering? Still, this church is one
of two churches that God considers rich. We sure could learn a thing or
two from them.
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and
you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point
of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown." (Rev 2:10,
NIV2)
Yes, Smyrna was a suffering church. Some people would say
that this is an indication that they were not right with God and deserve
their afflictions. These people who would say this are completely wrong!
Although considered extremely poor, the church of Smyrna was extremely
rich in the eyes of God: "I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet
you are rich!" (Rev 2:9a, NIV2)
How could this be possible?
Simply, they had a heart after God: "You suffered along with those in
prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because
you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions." (Heb
10:34, NIV2). To put it differently, they had their priorities right.
How differently we would react in our culture if our property were
to be confiscated. We would scream and cry all the way to court. Not so
with the Smyrnans! Their trust was solely in God, and they knew what was
awaiting them in the end, when they met Jesus face to face. Are we that
confident?
The Smyrnans didn't consider adversity as a sign of
God's disapproval. Rather, they considered it a privilege to suffer like
Jesus did. They couldn't help but rejoice, even when facing death. Yes,
there were some who were afraid. This is completely normal, but in their
time of need they ran into Jesus' arms and felt His embrace, and this
filled them with courage.
"But rejoice inasmuch as you
participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed
when his glory is revealed." (1Pet 4:13, NIV2)
After all, trials
are not there to shake us up, but to show how genuine we are in trusting
our loving God. With God at our side, trials will make us unshakeable in
the Lord: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that
you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (Jas 1:2-4, NIV2)
Too many times we have our priorities wrong. Our agenda isn't what
matters most. Walking in Jesus' steps is, as well as realizing He is the
One who sustains us in everything.
Maybe we can learn a thing or
two from the Smyrnans!
Last September, my oldest son and I camped
in a state camp near the Kinzua Dam in Pennsylvania. It was a campground
that most would consider rustic. It wasn't even in our GPS. When we left
the campground that evening, we forgot to include it as a reference
point in our GPS, and we only did so too late, after reaching the main
highway. I guess we were both too hungry at that time, as we were
anticipating a delicious Italian meal. Eggplant parmesan, here I come!
On our way back to camp, it was pitch dark, and we couldn't find the
turnoff to the road that led to the camp. Desperate, we entered the name
of our camp in the GPS, and all of a sudden it starting giving us
directions! At least it thought it knew its location!
Unfortunately it directed us on an unpaved road that led up to what
seemed like a mountain. It was an exciting adventure, to say the least,
and we encountered some interesting artifacts from the past while
driving on that unnamed road: oil rigs! That sure was fascinating, but
it didn't lead us back to camp. Still we persevered, hoping beyond hope
that it would, until we were completely lost.
Yes, we were facing
adversity, with no solution in sight. Instead of panicking, we enjoyed
our ride. After all, our Heavenly Dad was with us, and He knew the way,
wherever that was. We laughed like crazy, and the music emanating from
the CD my son brought with him was fitting the mood: eerie!!! I had no
idea how much fun it could be to be lost in the wilderness.
Eventually we faced a huge mud hole and had to turn around. Very
carefully! We eventually got back on the road, but we still didn't know
where to go. It's then that I was inspired from above to search for the
Kinzua dam in my GPS. Its directions led us to the road where our camp
was located. After our trip, we both agreed that this experience had
been the highlight of our trip. It not only helped us experience God
fully, it also brought my son and I closer than before.
May we
always face adversity with a smile on our lips. After all, God will see
us through, even if we have no idea how to get through!
Lost?
Rejoice! You will have a trip out of the ordinary! God will see you
through!
May we remember that suffering and trials are
opportunities to experience God fully, opportunities that will make us
rich in God's eyes!
Oh no I lost my wallet! Can you help me?
Rob Chaffart
